The softball team (9-14-1 overall, 6-1 district) will look to upset first-place McKinney North Bulldogs (14-7 overall, 7-0 district) tonight at 7 p.m. in a road contest.
“I anticipate us showing up and competing against North tonight, It’s going to be a dog-fight,” head coach Brittany Lee said. “Both squads are hungry for a chance at the district championship title. It’ll be the most anticipated game of the season.”
The one loss that the Leopards suffered was from McKinney North earlier in the season in a game which ended 7-4. The Bulldogs currently sit at the top of table in district, with the Leopards trailing just one game behind. Currently, the Leopards have the most runs scored (65), as well as the least amount of runs allowed (14) in their district.
The team played two district games earlier in the week as well as on last Friday, picking up two wins.
The Leopards faced the Sherman Bearcats on Tuesday, April 9 in a game that ended in a 4-0 win. Both pitchers, sophomore Sydney Provence and freshman Bailey Bradshaw, combined to throw a shutout. There were three runs scored in the fourth inning, which was enough to pick up the win.
“We had one of our best defensive games with four double plays against Sherman,” senior Alyssa Holstead said. “We could improve on our base percentage, but if we have a good mindset and are focused, we can get the job done [against McKinney North].”
After shutting out Wylie East 10-0 in the district opener, the Leopards played the Raiders against last Friday, April 5th in another convincing win, this one ending 13-3. Juniors Carlee Schaeffer and Mackenzie Mitchell scored three runs each, and senior Rebecca Holiman led the attack with five hits. Pitcher Sydney Provence lasted four innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out three and walking one.
“The team has been performing extremely well, firing on all cylinders, throughout our last few games,” Lee said. “We’ve grown a lot, mentally and physically, throughout this season and we are seeing the results of battling through some adversity early in the season. The girls have responded well to pressure lately, as well.”
